Trang Bakery & Cafe

Just off St Kilda Road, near the lake. A line snaking out the door—always the first sign of greatness. Trang Bakery & Cafe is an absolute powerhouse of Vietnamese street eats mixed with classic bakery comforts. The midday corporate crowd gladly waits half an hour just to score the bánh mì thịt heo quay. Shatteringly crisp baguette. Packed to the absolute brim with roasted pork and vibrant đồ chua. A masterclass in texture and savory fat. Not a pork purist? The roast duck rolls and plump shrimp rice paper rolls hit the mark perfectly. It’s fast, absurdly cheap, and consistently brilliant. The people clutching their docket numbers at the counter will tell you to add a strong Vietnamese cà phê and a Nutella donut to your order. Get there early—before the lunch rush devours the best cuts of crispy pork.